Polymerization process

Abstract

Linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon, useful as premium thermoplastics, are produced by contacting the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon reactants under polymerization conditions in the presence of a catalyst complex of hydrocarbylpalladium halide and a bidentate ligand of phosphorus. The catalyst complex is produced by contacting a complex of palladium dihalide and the bidentate phosphorus ligand with a tetrahydrocarbyltin.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An equimolar complex of a hydrocarbylpalladium halide, wherein the hydrocarbylpalladium halide is of the formula   R"--PdX     wherein R" is alkyl of up to 10 carbon atoms inclusive and X is halide, and a bidentate ligand of phosphorus wherein the bidentate ligand of phosphorus is of the formula ##STR2## wherein R independently is an aromatic group of up to 12 carbon atoms inclusive and R' is a divalent linking group of up to 10 carbon atoms inclusive and 3 atoms in the bridge connecting the phosphorus-containing moieties.   
     
     
       2. The complex of claim 1 wherein X is chloride and R" is a lower alkyl of up to 4 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       3. The complex of claim 2 wherein R independently is phenyl or 2-methoxy-phenyl. 
     
     
       4. The complex of claim 3 wherein R' is 1,3-propylene, 2,2-dimethylpropylene, or 2,2-dimethyl-2-sila-1,3-propylene. 
     
     
       5. The complex of claim 4 wherein R" is methyl. 
     
     
       6. A process for the production of a complex of a hydrocarbylpalladium halide, wherein the hydrocarbylpalladium halide is of the formula   R"--PdX     wherein R" is alkyl of up to 10 carbon atoms inclusive and X is halide and a bidentate ligand of phosphorus, wherein the bidentate ligand of phosphorus is of the formula ##STR3## wherein R independently is an aromatic group of up to 12 carbon atoms inclusive and R' is a divalent linking group of up to 10 carbon atoms inclusive and 3 atoms in the bridge connecting the phosphorus-containing moieties, which comprises contacting a corresponding complex of palladium dihalide and bidentate phosphorus ligand with a tetrahydrcarbyltin of the formula (R") 4  Sn, wherein R" is alkyl of up to 10 carbon atoms inclusive.   
     
     
       7. The process of claim 6 wherein the equimolar complex is produced by contacting an equimolar complex of palladium dichloride and 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane with tetramethyltin.